Proteas' Corbin Bosch defends 'unlucky' Kagiso Rabada after wicketless run against UAE
ICC Men's T20 WORLD CUP
Corbin Bosch claims Kagiso Rabada has been "unlucky" despite a dry spell in the wicket column. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Proteas fast bowler Corbin Bosch expressed sympathy for teammate and leader of the bowling attack, Kagiso Rabada, following another wicketless run in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Rabada finished wicketless in South Africa’s six-wicket victory over the UAE on Wednesday, returning figures of 0/30 in his allotted four overs. If the 30-year-old were on song, chances are he would have been rested for the dead-rubber, as other in-form senior players were, including Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and David Miller.
However, because Rabada has gone wicketless in four of the seven T20Is he has played this year, it made sense for him to take the field on Wednesday to continue his search for form ahead of the all-important Super 8 stage of the tournament.
In his defence, while he has been off by his own high standards, the fast bowler has been unlucky throughout the tournament. He has seen good balls edged for boundaries and has had catches dropped, including a chance spilled by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock during the UAE clash.
Bosch, who took 3/12 and earned the Player of the Match award on Wednesday, highlighted that the premier fast bowler Rabada has been unlucky in the competition thus far. He added that Rabada’s opening spell, along with Kwena Maphaka’s, helped him understand which lines and lengths were going to work on the Delhi surface — a feat that saw him walk away with the day’s highest honours.
"I think KG got a bit unlucky early on with the top edge going for six," Bosch said.
"I luckily had the luxury of watching KG, Ana, and Kwena going about their business. I think there was enough in the wicket if you hit the deck quite hard.
"I think one or two balls actually stood up quite nicely, and I got the better end of the result. I think we kept the plan quite simple."
Bosch’s three-wicket haul helped South Africa secure a six-wicket victory, allowing them to take the top spot in Group D. The Proteas head into the upcoming Super 8 stage with confidence, remaining undefeated in the tournament so far.